“Sure I will. Let me get this old stick to give me the money I want, and then I’ll go with you.” With this she took the two dollars which the man gave to her begrudgingly, and out of the shop they went, and Mrs. Higgins led the way to her apartment.
But she did not notice that a poor woman walked along the street with her child by the hand. This was one of those cases when it would have been well for the woman to tell of the charity which she was going to bestow, for then the tired sick mother would not have left her home.
She hurried on until she, too, reached the pawnshop and stepped inside, dragging the frail child with her.
She walked to the counter with slow steps and said in a weak voice:
“I should like to pawn this jewel for as much money as you can give me.”
“I cannot give you much,” said the broker, “for it is plated.”
The woman raised her eyes pleadingly.
“You are mistaken,” said she. “My father gave it to me as a pure gem.”
“Then your father was fooled,” said the broker, “for it is nothing but the meanest kind of a plate.”
The woman looked about hastily.